December 9, 2025

Toronto, Canada – The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) is delighted to announce the launch of ISD Canada, expanding its global footprint and strengthening its commitment to Canadian partners in addressing all forms of hate and extremism, foreign interference and information operations at a time when these threats are on the rise. The announcement will be made at the Sixth Global Summit of ISD’s Strong Cities Network in Toronto, which brings together over 400 mayors, local government officials, civil society organizations, national governments, private sector stakeholders, and practitioners from over 130 cities and nearly 50 countries worldwide. This includes representation from nearly 40 cities across Canada. 

“Canada has long been a leader in advancing evidence-based approaches to tackling extremism, hate, and foreign interference. We have had the privilege of working with Canadian partners in and outside of government on these challenges for 15 years,” said Sasha Havlicek, CEO of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. “In the face of escalating hybrid threats, the launch of ISD Canada allows us to expand and deepen our collaboration with civic, academic, business and government partners at all levels, and to scale efforts in support of resilient, safe, and cohesive communities across the country.”  

ISD Canada will build on 15 years of work with Canadian partners, including Public Safety Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Canadian Heritage, and a wide range of municipalities, universities and non-governmental organizations. This initiative will continue to advance data-driven insights, policy support, and community-led programming, addressing the evolving threat landscape both online and offline. 

Key areas of focus for ISD Canada include:

• Conducting threat detection and research of hybridized, multidimensional threats posed by domestic violent extremists, foreign terrorist organizations, foreign influence operations and online manipulation in the Canadian context. 
• Tracking the dynamics driving polarization and hate targeting specific communities in Canada. 
• Supporting Canadian municipalities and local communities in preventing violence and fostering social cohesion through the Strong Cities Network. 
• Providing policy insights to legislators and government partners on countering emerging digital threats and online safety regulation. 
• Providing educational programs to empower youth, counter extremism and strengthen digital citizenship.  

The launch marks a significant milestone in ISD’s long-standing partnership with a diversity of civil society and government partners across Canada, reaffirming its commitment to collaborative, evidence-based strategies to safeguard democratic resilience and social cohesion. 

About the Institute of Strategic Dialogue 

For 20 years, the Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD) has been at the forefront of analyzing, exposing and combatting all forms of terrorism, extremism, foreign interference, digital manipulation and authoritarianism, helping equip institutions, individuals, communities and the private sector with the tools, policies and skills to achieve impact at scale.